Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                                 2020 May 8

                           Long Tailed Comet SWAN
             Image Credit & Copyright: D. Peach, Chilescope team

   Explanation: Blowing in the solar wind the spectacular ion tail of
   Comet SWAN (C/2020 F8) extends far across this 10 degree wide telephoto
   field of view. Captured on May 2 its greenish coma was about 6
   light-minutes from Earth. The pretty background starfield lies near the
   border of the constellations Cetus and Aquarius. This comet SWAN was
   discovered at home by Australian amateur Michael Mattiazzo by checking
   images from the Sun-staring SOHO spacecraft's SWAN (Solar Wind
   ANisotropies) camera. The comet has now become just visible to the
   naked-eye as it sweeps from southern to northern skies. Appearing in
   morning twilight near the eastern horizon, Comet SWAN will make its
   closest approach to planet Earth on May 12 and reach perihelion on May
   27.

                      Tomorrow's picture: light-weekend
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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